Christy Ryan
Personal information
Irish name Crisotóir Ó Riain
Sport Gaelic football
Position Centre-back
Born (1957-08-18)18 August 1957
Ballyphehane, Cork, Ireland
Died 8 February 2021(2021-02-08) (aged 63)
Glasheen, Cork, Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
1976–1992
 St Finbarr's
Club titles
  Football Hurling
Cork titles 5 6
Munster titles 4 2
All-Ireland titles 3 1
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
1977–1987
 Cork 24 (0-7)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 2
All-Irelands 0
NFL 1
All Stars 0
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 17:42, 9 February 2021.

Christopher D. Ryan (18 August 1957 – 8 February 2021) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, hurler and coach. As a dual player for club and county, he played in several positions including as a defensive centre-back, in midfield, or as a target man in attack.[1] Ryan has been described as one of Cork's most decorated club players of all time.[2]

Biography

Playing career

Ryan began his club career at underage level with St Finbarr's, winning minor and under-21 championships across both codes. He was just 18 years of age when he was drafted onto the club's senior teams in 1976 and began the first of seventeen consecutive seasons as a senior dual player. During that time, Ryan lined out in 20 county finals, winning six Cork SHC titles and five Cork SFC. He also won a combined total of six Munster Club Championships and four All-Ireland Club Championships, captaining "the Barr's" footballers to the title in 1980.[3]

After an unsuccessful minor and under-21 career at inter-county level, Ryan joined the Cork senior football team in advance of the 1977-78 league. During a decade-long association with the team he served as captain on two occasions, a position he held for Cork's National League success in 1980 and their Munster Championship victory in 1983. Ryan, who also won a National League title with the Cork senior hurling team, ended his career with an All-Ireland final defeat by Meath in 1987.[citation needed]

Death

Ryan died in Glasheen on 8 February 2021, at the age of 63.[4]

Honours

St Finbarr's
Cork
Munster

References

  1. ^ Woods, Mark (9 February 2021). "St Finbarr's and Cork mourn the death of highly decorated dual star Christy Ryan". The Echo. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ^ Horgan, John (9 February 2021). "Billy Morgan leads the tributes to 'tower of strength' Christy Ryan". The Echo. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  3. ^ Moynihan, Michael (9 February 2021). "Cork GAA mourns St Finbarr's legend Christy Ryan who played in 20 county finals". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Cork's Christy Ryan passes away". Hogan Stand. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
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